Holiday Toolkit – 311

What’s in your holiday toolkit? Do you dread spending holidays with family? What tools have you found to make the experience tolerable or even joyful? * (Realistic) expectations.* Recognize when you are feeling stressed (HALTS?)* Escape plans.* Literature.* Locate and plan to attend meetings if you will be out of your usual area.* Phone list.* Arrange with sponsor or friends to call them.* Don’t stay with your family — have a refuge you can go back to.* Sit at the kids table.* Don’t engage in arguments. (WAIT — Why am I talking?)* (No) expectations.* Keep your recovery routines, such as prayer and meditation. Readings and Links Al-Anon e-books can are available. Visit the Al-Anon store for details. A caller described several resources for visually impaired or blind people. These are * BARD, a free app available from the Library of Congress .* Voice Dream Reader, $20, downloads and reads websites.* iPhone has a service called “voice over” that can read books purchased for iBooks.* BookShare is a subscription service that has many audio books.* And, of course, there is the Audible audio books subscription service. Upcoming topics A couple of topics suggested by listeners are “Men in Al-Anon”, and “Double winnersPlease call us at 734-707-8795 or email [email protected] with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here. Music from the Show The Ramones – We're a Happy Family Joan Baez and Jeffrey Shurtleff – One Day at a Time (Live at Woodstock) Bing Crosby – I'll Be Home For Christmas